Latest Insurance News

Brought to Justice

The following cases were heard at Cardiff Magistrates Court: Peter John James, 35, of Machen Place, Riverside, Cardiff, was fined pounds 150 with a pounds 15 victims surcharge and pounds 30 costs after admitting having no valid licence or insurance. Six points were put on his licence. Mary Francine McKeown, 52, of Poplar Road, Pentrebane, Cardiff, was fined pounds 60 with a pounds 15 victims surcharge after admitting speeding. Robert McLellan, 20, of Hendre Road, Rumney, Cardiff, was fined po...

Credit History Won't Be in Play ; New Regulations Designed to Enable Rate Competition

By ANDREW LIGHTMAN AUTO INSURANCE BOSTON - The state insurance commissioner has decided to ban insurers from using consumers' credit histories to determine auto insurance rates as part of her new set of regulations aimed at increasing competition among insurers. The ban, announced on Friday by Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes, represents a shift from draft regulations she issued in August that proposed only a one-year ban on the use of credit information, to allow for a more formal ...

Parents 'Commit Fraud for Young Drivers'

THOUSANDS of parents are unwittingly committing fraud by insuring their child's car in their own name. And yesterday they were warned that this can lead to claims being declined, leaving the young driver uninsured and possibly facing a ban. A YouGov survey for Zurich Insurance shows one in ten parents and grandparents who have helped youngsters buy a car have it insured in their name, with the youngster a named driver. But Zurich said this was 'fronting' - the insurance fraud of the nam...

Money People: GEAR UP FOR COSTLY COVER

By Simon Read DRIVERS are feeling the pinch as car insurance premiums soar. Third party cover has risen by 10 per cent in the last year with comprehensive cover up by four per cent. Insurers say they have been forced to raise their quotes after several years of low rates. Personal injury claims and legal costs have escalated. And the leap in third party costs is due to growing numbers of claims made by young drivers, who typically buy this cover. Debra Williams of comparison site ...

Parents in Car Fraud

THOUSANDS of parents have unwittingly committed fraud by insuring their child's car in their own name. One in 10 mums and dads who helped their kids buy a car insured in their name, with the child added to the policy as a named driver, according to Zurich Insurance. Two-thirds of parents said the move was aimed at reducing premiums. But Zurich said the practice was insurance fraud - which could leave the named driver uninsured if it was uncovered. (c) 2007 Sunday Mercury; Birmingham (UK)....

You Can Drop PIP -- for Now: Many Drivers Are Confused About What Auto Coverage They Need Until the No-Fault Law Returns in January

By Beatrice E. Garcia, The Miami Herald Oct. 14--Gainsco Auto Insurance, which sells nonstandard coverage Some drivers breathed a sigh of relief that Florida's no-fault auto insurance law will return in January. Others are just happy they can skip buying some coverages until the new year. But the bottom line for both camps: Buying extra coverage to cover medical bills from an auto accident is up to each driver. But agents, insurers and attorneys say consumers should review their polic...

EDITORIAL: In-Car Cameras Give Parents Keen Vision of Teen Drivers

By South Florida Sun-Sentinel Oct. 14--A parents'-eye view of teen driving Ever wanted to be a fly on the window when your teenager is at the wheel -- as long as you could be assured you wouldn't be squished on the trip, that is? Well, the miracles of modern technology have delivered just such a device to market, and several U.S. auto insurers are even offering the in-car cameras and global positioning equipment so you can monitor your teenager as she navigates the road. The goal is t...

Answers, Please ; LETTERS

WHY is it, Mr Brown, that you have taken away the 10p tax level from next April? This will wipe out my wage rise of Pounds 12 a month. Why is it, Mr Brown, that you can find Pounds 250 for pregnant women? Why is it that those who choose not to work get all that's going, but the harder I work and try to save, the more I get taxed? My house insurance, building insurance and car insurance have all gone up. The diesel I buy to get to work has just gone up again. More tax! Why is it, Mr Brown, t...

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Savvy Consumer Column: Water Rates Go Up, Auto Insurance Rates Are Down

By Michael D. Sorkin, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Oct. 12--The price of water is going up, maybe as soon as next week in St. Louis County and parts of St. Charles County. Missouri-American Water Co. will raise rates for its 1.5 million Missouri customers by $28.4 million a year. The percentage increase varies by community. In St. Louis County, where the company has 348,000 water customers, increases will average 12 percent. A typical household will pay $68.83, a hike of $7.62. Water bills i...

CAR COVER - SHEILA STYLE ; Girls Take Their Time to Choose Right Car Insurance

WOMEN spend the same time buying car insurance as choosing their Christmas party outfit, research shows. To mark their second birthday, Sheilas' Wheels examined how the personal finances of the fairer sex have changed. The study concentrated on how car insurance fits into women's priorities and whether their tendency to shop around for abargain rings true. It found that women now have more control than ever of the household purse-strings with just one in six women in a relationship leav...